10 Cool Cars That Gained a Cult Following

A car need not be a VW Beetle, Chevy Corvette, or Porsche 911 to have a legion of dedicated fans. There are plenty of cars that, while flying a little under the radar, nonetheless have a throng of followers who are no less passionate about their vehicles. Here are 10 of our favorites.

1968-73 Datsun 510

1968-73 Datsun 510

For decades now, Datsun (Nissan) has been a fixture of the American automotive landscape. But in the 1960s, Datsuns certainly weren't as common as Fords or Chevys. So the company built the 510 Sedan, at least in part, to be the breakthrough car for Datsun in the U.S. And it was a hit.

The 510 used a tough yet lightweight chassis, and it became known as the bargain BMW because of its fully independent MacPherson strut front and semi-trailing arm suspension (though the wagon version did use a solid axle and leaf springs for its rear suspension). The 510 was a blast to drive, thanks in part to its double-overhead-cam, four-cylinder engine. The Datsun won numerous racing championships around the world, including two SCCA Trans-Am Championships and an East African Safari Classic. This racing pedigree gave rise to a full catalog of performance parts from Datsun and a healthy aftermarket from other outlets.

Many Japanese cars from the 1970s and 1980s are now collectable, but the Datsun 510 was the first one to hit cult status. Even though these popular cars are cheap and were produced in large numbers (400,000 globally), finding one in good condition here in the U.S. is a challenge—and there are many folks hunting for them.

1968-76 BMW 2002

1968-76 BMW 2002

Long before BMW was known as the Ultimate Driving Machine, the automaker crafted this tiny 2100-pound car that became a major step in plotting the company's future course. The BMW 2002 was a plucky half-pint sedan with a punchy four-cylinder engine and front and rear independent suspension. The 2002 delivered sporty moves in the corners and room for four adults at a time when most automakers were producing thirsty and cumbersome V-8-powered heavyweights that were more at home on the boulevard than any canyon road.

Today, the high-performance, 130-hp, fuel-injected 2002 tii commands close to $20,000 in good condition. The company even produced a 170-hp turbocharged model between 1973 and 1974 (BMW's first turbo), but the car was never officially sold in the U.S. As the predecessor to the modern BMW 3 Series, the 2002 enjoys cult car status for its style, driving zest, and historical importance.